The 2016 Stella awards were held in the Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada at The Orleans Event Arena. This event pulled out all of the latest and the greatest from the gospel music community and beyond.

Curvy Magazine was live on the red carpet in the midst of all of the pre show buzz. We got a chance to stop and chat with a few of the gospel beauties on their way into the arena for the event.

This year marks the 31st annual Stellar awards. The Stellar Awards were created to honor the best in gospel music all across the board. With categories like gospel radio, gospel announcers, best choir and best male and female performances, no stone is left un turned when it comes to including everyone.

The Show host were the very funny and amazingly talented Sherri Shepard (The View) and the make you slap yo mama funny man Rickey Smiley (The Rickey Smiley Morning Show). Together these two had the crowd in a non stop fit of laughter, bringing a warm and inviting atmosphere into the arena.

The live performances were just what the crowd needed to bring us back to hearing the beautiful words of praise. The opening act Anthony Brown and Group therapy gave a full out show. Bringing in the dancers, the singers and engaging the crowd with their powerful stage presence. This performance will certainly be the act to top in the years preceding this one.

One of the highlights of the evening for the host is when Mr. Rickey Smiley presented an ever to happy Ms. Shepard with a crown, sash and flowers proclaiming she was the winner of a peoples choice award of some sort. And in Steve Harvey fashion (Look up Miss Universe Mix Up). Rickey began to tell the audience that a mistake had been made. As he was proceeding to strip Miss Shepard of her crown… she put up a good fight. The crowd including myself were hysterical, the effort she through into this seemed so real I thought a brawl was going to break out.

Before going into the show Sherri stopped and talked to Curvy about her next move and what she had in store for us that evening. Sherri was extremely excited to be back at the 2016 Stellar Awards hosting then event, just as excited , if not more than the very first time to graced the stage.

The red carpet was filled with lots of love and light as some of the most recognized and sought after music creators walked the carpet. Miss Iyanla stopped and snapped a few photos with Our Beauty guru Silver Reid. As they posed she talked about all of the beautiful fashions that were being displayed on the red carpet. Very pleasant conversation and a loving attitude, what a pleasure.

Silver Reid with Iyanla on the Red Carpet

All in all this was a great event. I loved the mixture of music and love and praise combined to include everyone and make everyone feel welcome. Thank you to Leslie Gray and the whole team in charge for making sure everything ran as smooth as possible. The Orleans Arena for housing such an amazing event and all the nominees, attendees, performers, and supporters. This was an amazing night with beautiful people… on the inside and out.

2015 – 2016
31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Award Nominees

Category #1ARTIST OF THE YEAR

ANTHONY BROWN & GROUP THERAPY, EVERYDAY JESUS, KEY OF A/TYSCOT

ERICA CAMPBELL, HELP 2.0, MY BLOCK INC./EONE MUSIC

JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS, LIFE MUSIC: STAGE TWO, TEHILLAH MUSIC GROUP/EONE MUSIC